Iran has reportedly prepared for the possibility of up to 3,000 deaths during the week-long funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Germany’s WELT, which cited a classified document and municipal sources in Tehran. The report said authorities had drawn up contingency plans for a possible mass-casualty incident.
On Saturday, July 4, Iran is holding the first public funeral ceremony for Khamenei at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla prayer grounds, with millions of mourners and delegations from more than 100 countries expected to attend. The funeral ceremonies will continue in Tehran before moving to Qom, Baghdad, Najaf and Karbala, before Khamenei is laid to rest at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad on July 9.
Khamenei, along with members of his family, was killed in a joint US-Israeli attack on February 28, triggering weeks of conflict and heightened tensions across the Middle East.
Live updates
Mehbooba Mufti visits Khamenei’s residence in Tehran
8:25 pm IST: PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited Husayniyah Jamaran, the residence of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to pay her respects following his funeral.
Ayatollah Javadi Amoli to lead Khamenei’s funeral prayers in Qom
7 pm IST: Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli will lead the funeral prayers for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the holy city of Qom, according to Iran’s funeral ceremony headquarters, Tasnim News Agency reported.
The farewell ceremony in Qom is scheduled to begin at 5 am on Tuesday, July 7, at the Holy Jamkaran Mosque, as the country continues its six-day mourning programme.
‘Labbaik Ya Khamenei’ chants echo across Tehran
5:38 pm IST: Chants of “Labbaik Ya Khamenei” (“At your command, Khamenei”) echoed across Tehran as mourners gathered for the farewell ceremony of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to the Tehran Times.
Crowds swell at Tehran metro station as funeral attendees arrive
5:01 pm IST: Large crowds gathered at Shahid Motahari Metro Station in Tehran as mourners continued arriving for the funeral ceremonies of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Videos shared by Iranian media showed packed platforms, with crowds chanting slogans as they made their way to the ceremony at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla.
Families of Minab school victims arrive in Tehran for funeral
3:45 pm IST: Families of the victims of the Minab school attack have arrived in Tehran to take part in the funeral ceremonies and procession for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to footage shared by Iranian media.
The families travelled to the capital to join mourners attending the farewell ceremonies at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, where funeral events are underway.
Iran opens over 5,000 schools to accommodate funeral attendees
3:01 pm IST: Iran has opened more than 5,000 schools and 40,000 to 50,000 classrooms across the country to accommodate people travelling to Tehran for the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to Iran’s ISNA news agency, Education Minister Alireza Kazemi said the facilities have been prepared to welcome pilgrims attending the funeral ceremonies. Authorities expect more than 10 million mourners, including delegations and representatives from over 100 countries, to gather in Tehran.
Elderly mourner faints as heat grips funeral crowds
2:54 pm IST: An elderly woman was carried away on a stretcher after fainting in the crowd at Grand Mosalla during the funeral ceremonies, as soaring temperatures and packed conditions affected mourners, AFP reported.
Several attendees were seen cooling themselves with water, while water mist was sprayed over the massive crowds to help ease the heat. Temperatures during the outdoor summer ceremonies are expected to exceed 35 degree Celsius.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif pays tribute at Khamenei funeral
1:10 pm IST: In a post on X, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he paid his respects and conveyed condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan during the funeral ceremony of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.
Sharif said Khamenei’s “wisdom, leadership and profound influence” on Iran and the wider region would be remembered for generations. He added that he was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Ayaz Sadiq and other senior ministers and officials.
He said Pakistan stands with Iran “as a brotherly neighbour” during its time of grief.
Scenes from Khamenei’s funeral ceremony in Tehran
12:40 pm IST
Trump says US gave Iran ‘a week off’ for Khamenei’s funeral
12:25 pm IST: US President Donald Trump mocked Iran’s ongoing funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying the United States gave Tehran “a week off” because it was “nice.”
Speaking at a gathering at Mount Rushmore marking the 250th anniversary of US independence, Trump claimed the US had “knocked the hell out of Iran” and said the country was “dying to settle.”
“We knocked the hell out of Iran. They’re dying to settle. We gave them a week off for a funeral because we’re nice,” Trump said.
Tehran governor urges mourners to attend only one funeral event
12: 01 am IST: The governor of Tehran has urged people to participate in only one of the farewell or funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to help manage the large crowds expected during the multi-day events.
Funeral ceremony continues amid huge turnout in Tehran
11:40 am IST:
Symbolic funeral procession held for Khamenei in Nigeria
11: 20 am IST: A symbolic funeral procession for Khamenei was held in Nigeria, according to Press TV. Participants carried portraits of Khamenei, waved flags and gathered around a symbolic coffin during the memorial ceremony, Press TV reported.
Widow of Iranian scientist says Khamenei’s legacy will endure
10:59 am IST: The widow of Iranian space scientist Ahmad Hatami told Tasnim News Agency that the funeral was “not the end of the path,” adding that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s memory and legacy would continue through future generations.
She said the farewell was difficult to accept and expressed confidence that Khamenei’s path would live on despite his death.
‘Kill Trump’ banners raised
10:35 am IST:
Khamenei’s mortal remains unveiled during funeral ceremony
10:05 am IST: The mortal remains of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and those of his family members were unveiled during the public funeral ceremony at Grand Mosalla.
The unveiling took place as excerpts from Ziyarat Ashura, recited in Khamenei’s voice, were played across the venue while thousands of mourners gathered to pay their final respects.
Chants echo across Grand Mosalla
9:55 am IST: Religious chants echoed across the crowded courtyard of Grand Mosalla. Videos from the venue showed thousands of mourners chanting “O son of Fatemeh, we await you”, a slogan associated with the awaited return of Imam Mahdi in Shia Islam, as the farewell ceremony continued.
Mourners chant anti-US slogans on Tehran Metro
9:36 am IST: Thousands of travelling to the funeral ceremony chanted “Death to America” and “Revenge, revenge” aboard the Tehran Metro, according to videos shared by Iranian media on x.
Many of the them were carrying red banners, a symbol often associated with calls for revenge in Iran, as they made their way to Grand Mosalla.
Senior military official says Khamenei’s death will strengthen Iran
8:55 am IST: The head of the National Security Studies Centre of Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces said the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would strengthen national unity and reinforce the country’s revolutionary path.
Speaking on the sidelines of the funeral ceremony in Tehran, the senior military official said the transition to a new leader would ensure the continuity of the Islamic Revolution. He also praised the large turnout of young mourners, saying their presence reflected the revolution’s enduring support among the younger generation.
Khamenei’s coffin on display at public farewell ceremony
8:48 am IST:
Crowds continue to swell at Tehran prayer grounds
8:35 am IST:
Khamenei’s coffin brought to main stage
8:28 am IST: The coffin carrying former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been brought to the main stage at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla ahead of the start of the funeral ceremony.
Mourners gather at Imam Khomeini Mosalla
8:23 am IST: Thousands of mourners have begun arriving at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla prayer grounds ahead of the first public funeral ceremony for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Tasnim News Agency reported.
Authorities have opened the eastern and northern gates of the venue, with the eastern courtyard designated for women and the western side reserved for men. Security personnel are directing the growing crowds as people continue to enter the complex.
